Hills offer 11-4 for Strictly Come Dancing to feature a same-sex couple in 2011 - as if it already hadn't.

Same-sex couples are not to be sniffed at. I speak from experience because me and my partner are a same-sex couple - we have the same sex year after year, usually in May.

That is one of the more eye-catching bets in the New Year specials unveiled this week by Hills, who a year ago offered 2-1 for Ashley and Cheryl Cole to separate and 8-1 for Robbie Williams to rejoin Take That.

That was great news for value-seeking punters, miserable news for the Coles and disastrous news for Take That. This year Hills quote 16-1 for Cheryl and Ashley to reunite - an almost laughable offer, especially if it is Ashley offering.

Cheryl recently spoke of her tears on receiving a Christmas gift from her former hubby, who will regard that tarantula as money well spent.

It's 25-1 for ITV's Loose Women to book a male panelist. I'm pretty certain the word is 'book'. The alternative would be a hell of a lot shorter.